New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-20
"REFORNn IN JERSEY.

There is body of men who are constantly
urging that moral obligation should be more
constantly and faithfully regarded in political
acts. Perhaps it is too much the habit to sheer
at these gentlemen, for the principle which
they constantly urge ought to command Ne
spcct, and vet it must he confessed that their
conduct Is not always such as to command re-
spect for them or for the principles they incul-
cate Let a single Illustration be considered.
In the State of Ncw-JcIsey there was con-
siderable number of these worthy citizens in
1884. who then conceived it to be their duty
to oppose the Republican party They held
that moral obligation should not he ignored.
and that their conscienccs required them to
transfer the Government Of the country to the
charge Of the Democratic party. In like man
ner many of these same citizens conceived it to
be their moral duty to support the Democratic
candidate at the last State election, and with
all the frauds pcrpctratcd in his behalf, Gov
crnor Albeit would probably have been elected
by scanty majority, if at all, but for the
course of these citizens. What have been the
results, and what do they now conceive their
duty to be9
A locksmith has testified that he was brought
by Democratic political managers from Phla-
delphia by night to open ballot-boX in New
jersey He tesdGcs that he did open the
ballot-boy in the presence Of certain Democrats
and there is further testimony that the ballots
in that box were so changed, after the election
and the count had been completed. as TO re-
turn the candidate who had been defeated by
the votes of the people Among unscrupulous
political tricksters there may he a prctence Of
disputing this evidence. But it is safe to say
that there is not an honest and intelligent cit
izen of Ncw-Jcrscy who does not know to-day
that the violation Of the balot-boX in this case
secured the return of Democratic candidate
for Asscmblyman who was in fact defeated ty
the people.
1t had been presumed that no party would
uphold a fraud so glaring. Good citizens OF
both parties really supposed that no party
would hold such shocking conception Of pub
lie opinion as TO expect 1t to tolerate crime
like this. Probably it is safe TO say, also, that
even the Democratic party of NewJescy would
have Indignantly spurned this fraudulent re-
turn, and the creature who claimed scat by
virtue Of such return, had not the election OF
a Senator OF, the United States turned upon
single vote in the Legislature. But good cit
izcns arc now called to witness the fact that
every Democratic member Of the Ncw-Jersey
Legislature deliberately upholds this infamous
crime completes the theft attempted by the
criminals in Camden. and strives 10 profit by
it through the fraudulent election Of a person
10 the Senate of the United States.
If decent citizens support and tolerate this
crime and the acts which have been pcrpetrated
in completing it and in trying to reap It's fruits
by the Democratic members Of the Legislature.
what results arc to be expected Any man
who can may safely stuff ballot-boxcs or forge
returns in New-Jcrsey hereafter, unless there
is public opinion sufficiently vigorous and
honest to rcbnke this offence. IL the people
are content to have one party pcrpetrate such
crimes and deliberately profit by them. Is 1t
not certain that the bascr members OF the other
rarity will unhesitatngly resort to similar means
hereafter? Is it not equally clear that other
crimes. not morally worse if as bad as the vio-
lating of tho ballot-box, will be encouraged
and perpctratcd by the bad men OF both par
ties ? If, for the sake Of party, every DEM
ocratic member Of the Legislature votes 10
complete q deliberate robbery of the people.
what reason have decent citizens TO expect that
Republican members in future Legislatures will
decide questions honestly or fairly What
ground is there to look for the punishment OF
bribery Of voters, bribery Of Legislators, brib-
cry of officials in every station 7
Men who have been called decent citizens
are concerned in this crimc, Others who pro-
fess to care much for moral Obligations in
politics are to-day UNFOLDING this crime by
supporting the party by which it ia committed.
IL = l.. Ill xkn.,
substituting a government OF raSca]s for
government of law. They arc doing whatever
in them lies to make it sure that the State Of
New-Jersey shall be ruled hereafter, not by a
majority, but by the most rascally. And this.
let it be observed. is the latest net result OF
Reform" and scmpulous anxiety about
moral Obligations in political affairs.
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